Rack extension



Dec. 29, 1925. 1,567,774

W. N. VANCE RACK EXTENS I 0N Filed June 5 1919 :5 sheets-sheet 1 .1720610707 I UM W. N. VANCE RACK EXTENSION Dec. 29, 1925 Filed June 5, 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 I 1 1 s I i 1 1! U H nnnwn Doc. 29, 1925. ,5 7,774

% gilllu a s? I p Patented Dec. 29, 1925.

UNITED OFFICE- WALTER N. VANCE, or ,onIGAGQHEIGHTs,innmors, nssm voR-To- DURAND STEEL LOCKER GQMIY N OF G HGAGD, LLINOIS, .A v.CKJBJIQVRA'LION OF ILLINOIS.

n w a e-isms.-

ep mt qn p lun To all whom it may concern:

.Be it known that I, NALTER N. Vance, a citizen of the United States, residing in Chicago'Heights, in the county of Cfook' jand State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Back Extensions, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates in general to metal racks or shelvings and has more particular reference toracks or shelves of the knockrdown or readily adjustable character/ A principal object of the invention is the provision of shelving with counters or extensions which may be assembled separately from the main racl: sections and readily positioned and secured with respect thereto.

Another object of the invention is the provision of counter extensions for use in connection with such devices, the counter and shelves of .which will accurately register with shelves of the main shelf section to form continuations thereof,-so that it is unnecessary in such devices to provide special shelves extending through the extension and through also the main section.

Another and highly important object of the invention is the provision of metal shelving which may be used. alone or, if de sired, with main sections and as extensions and which will be of exceptionally strong and durable character.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of counter-extensions for shelving or racks which will provide top shelves or counters presenting imper 0- rate upper surfaces and this without rendering such counters unstable or of,-w .eal connection to the remainder of the device of which it forms a part.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of means for elfectivelyand cletachably rigidlysecuring counter or other extensions to a section of shelves so that the two form a unitary structure.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of an improved divider adapted for rigidv connection beneath a shelf counter; which need not be secured through the counter body portion counter andv may be constructed to divide not merely the space zbstween the ount r an the biaentish li" p c e s et-We n tw sh v s nine a ieaee ast en melee aad is .reeisfirat ee 1319.: Ser al 110. 301,936.

with the counter and shelf just befor nientioned. i

Ninnerous objects and advantages of the invention will apparent as it is better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1' is a perspective view of shelves embodying my present invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken just above the counter or shelf extension and extending part way in to a main shelf section, parts beingbroken away to disclose certain details of construction;

' Fig! 3 a partial end .view of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

4 is a partial vertical view showing certain details of construction;

' 5 is an enlarged perspective detail showing a section connector in place;

Fig. 6 is an isolated view of said connect connection .lbetween a counter bearer and the a r me;

Fig. 8 is. a diagrammatic view showing theblank for forming the end tube frame member; and

Fig. 9 is a detail partial-section.

. For the purpose of illustrating my invention I haveshown on thedrawing two sets of; main shelving. sections indicated generally at. 11 and 12, each of which is provided with a number of adjustable shelves 13 supported upon suitable front and back bearers 14 which take into slots or openings 15 in tubular uprights 1.6. The tubular uprights are provided with theseslots arranged at frequent and appropriately spaced intervals. Secured to these main sections are provided shelfand counter extensions 17 capable of separate assembly and to be readily attached to from the main sectionspand being capable also as will be readily manifest o f us e independent of said' nain sections. These extensions are provided with top shelves 18 forming counters andwith lower shelves .1 9 and 21. It will be readily apparent, however, thatlother shelvesmay be provided and shelves beneath the counex adi steed-a hang a t h g and .miielae leea ee zv i hie a g en season Fig. 7 is a detail vertical section of a I They are preferably arranged, however, to register accurately with the shelves of the main section to which they are attached or to which they are to be attached. The extensions 17 are provided with vertical upri hts 22 slotted at 23 in the manner of the uprights 16. These uprights 22 consist of tubes which are connected across the top by portions integral with corresponding front and back uprights so that there is between each section a tubular frame extending up the sides and across the top and a similar frame is located at each end. A single and isola'ed extension section would therefore include two such fr mes which act as supports, a counter shelf and shelves therebeneath together with the necessary bearers for such shelves. Each frame is made from a single blank shown in part in Fig. 8, in which reference character 81 indicates acentral part adapted to form the upper surface of the tube, which is preferably substantiall square in cross-section as ma be observe zy viewing Fig. The portion 31 is connected at its ends and at lines of bend 32 with blank parts 33 which form the outer front and back faces of the two parts 22. At each side the parts 31 and 33 are provided with lines of bend 34-. upon which the sides of the blank are bent down at right-angles and the materials betweenthe lines 34; and lines of bend therebeyond define the side face 36 of the tubes. The material is bent in upon the lines and then back upon other lines of bend 37 therebeyond, the ma terial. between the lines of bent and 3'? together forming the inner faces 38 of the tubes and providing outwardly extending parallel flanges 39 formed of the material beyond the lines of bend 37. The blank shown in Fig. 8 is shortened for the purposes of illustration. g

In order that the parts may match nicely at the corners the material of the blanks is mitered opposite the lines of bend 32 as indicated by reference character 41, and at each side at the miter the material is cut away at or near the corners as indicated at 43 to provide the openings 42 through the tube sides, said openings being of the rectangular formation shown in Fig. 3.

A side plate at is included between the flanges 39 at the sides and top of each frame so that the frames in effect constitute partitions between successive counter sections and end walls at the extremities of the assembly. Slots 23. already mentioned, are provided in the side faces 36' of the frames and these, as has beenstated, register as to vertical height with the slots of tube sections 16 of the main shelf section, which it may be stated are constructed like the tube sections made from the blank in Fig. 8 except that in the main sections they are not cross-cminected across their tops.

down as indicated at 47 beyond the bearers Lt and the lower edge is turned back at 4-8 to bring their lower edges closely against the face of the bearers 14. These shelves of course may be arranged at appropriate intervals in the main sections and also within the extension sections, the arrangements of the slots permitting accurate registration of the shelf sections of the-two parts. At the top, however, of the extension sections a counter is or may be provided and it is desired that this counter be supported at the extreme tops of the fran'ies or uprights so that the counters of contiguous sections may be disposed in a single plane. Special front and back bearers 49 are provided to this end and each of these is of rectangular section having merely ends b1 of less width than the body of the bearers and adapted to enter into the slots 42 already described. The slots or openings 42 are so located that the upper surfaces of the bearers are disposed beneath the plane of the upper faces 31 of the cross connections in the frames by a distance equal to the thickness of the metal of a counter. Each of these counters consists of a sheet of metal having a smooth impcrforate body 59 which extends from adjacent the bend it? of a shelf of the main section in registration thcrewitl to beyond the front bearer At the rear the edge of the counter is bent down as indicated at alongside the bent down part of the main shelf section the parts preferably being brought into close contact as will be presently described.

At the front a similar flange is provided, this flange however being longer than the flange and turned back upon a line of bond to provide an inwardly extending flange 56 arranged beneath the front bearer 4-9. At each end the counter is provided with a downwardly extending flange or flap 57 adapted to lie along and in contact with the adjacent side face 36 of appropriate cross connection. Through the tubular top of each frame and through the flanges or flaps 57 are provided registering apertures for receiving and holding bolts 58, which at the end of a series of sections extend merely through across-connection and through an adjacentwing 57 of the counter and intermediate the ends of said series extend through the wings of two adjacent counters and through the intermediately arranged cross-connecting tubular part. These apertures are so arranged that the bolts when in place will bring the flanges 53 of the counters in close contact with the edges of the shelves of the adjacent main section.

This construction is reinforced and tight- III) sued by connectors shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 6. Each of these connectors consists of a metal sheet 61 having two outwardly extending lips 62 adapted to enter into appropriate slots 15 and 23 to bind the two together. The tapering form of the slots causes the connectors to have a drawing action pulling the connected parts together and rendering the entire construction rigid. At the topsand bottoms the connectors are bent or bulged outwardly at 63 to permit them to be stuck by a suitable instrument to tighten or loosen them.

Referring to Fig. 1 I have shown in addition to the counter extensions already described, an additional lower extension inclicatod generallyat 71, which is constructed in all respects like the counter extension, the top shelf parts 72 which are constructed like the counter portions 18 are or may be used as steps or foot rests or for low counter parts as occasion may require.

1 have arranged for the provision of shelf dividers which will extend continuously through the space between registering shelves .and in this instance these dividers consist in a sheet of material 73 having its forward edge bent and returned upon itself at 74 to provide a bead which may be inserted in cir- .cular o venin 's 75 in theflan 'e art 56 of the counter. These openings extend clear to the edge to provide a passageway so that the material of the sheet behind the bead passes therethrough.

The divider-is provided in its part to be disposed within the extension section with a flange 76 through which bolts 77may extend and take into the next subjacent shelf. The material of the sheet is cut away at the top to pass the bearers a9 and 14 at the arjacent edges of the connected sections and therebeyond is provided at both its top and bottom with flanges 78 like the flanges 76 and similarly bolted to the shelves of the main section respectively in registration with the counter and with its subjacent shelf. The dividers are provided also with a flange 76 at the top and upon the part extending into the counter providing extension and where these dividers are used between shelves beneath the counter they are bolted through both shelves exactly as they are bolted to the shelves in the main sections. The extension sections may be used as independent sections merely by removing the dividers and the connectors already described. The whole structure is light and durable and readily assembled without the use of special tools and where the shelving may be erected for use.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the f rm. construction a d ar- .stantial height, and a lower counter and auxiliary shelf section arrangeable in front of said main structure and bound thereto,

said section being a complete separate unit and forming acounter-extension of said main structure.

2. A rack, comprising a main shelf struco ture including supporting uprights of substantial height and a lower counter and auxiliary shelf section arra-ngeable in front of said main structure and bound thereto, said section being of complete sepa'ate construction and having shelves aligned with the shelves of said main structure and -forming continuations thereof.

3. A rack, comprising a main shelf structure including supporting uprights of sub stantial height and a lower counter and auxiliary shelf section arrangeable in front of said main structure and bound thereto, said section being of complete separate construction and including uprights adjacent said uprights of the main structure, said adjacent uprights being correspondingly slotted, and means engaging in adjacent slots of said uprights for securing said section tightly to said main structure.

4-. A rack, comprising frame members bent and formed to provide uprights and cross connections at the top and integral therewith, bearers extending between the uprights at the top, and a shelf or counter member supported on said bearers and secured to said cross connection.

5. A rack, comprising a main shelf-carrying section comprising a main relatively high shelf structure and a complete separate auxiliary or counter-forming section of lower height arrangeable adjacent said main structure, said main structure and said counter-section being provided with shelf members arranged in alignment, the adjacent portions of said shelf members being vertically flanged and in contact with each other.

6. A rack, including framing members extending vertically to form a pair of uprights and integral cross connections therebetween, said framing members being slotted in their vertical parts to receive shelf bearers and at the joints between said vertical parts and said cross connections to receive counter bearers, the material adjacent the line of bend between the horizontal and vertical portions of said members being mitered, and end panels engaged by said members and forming therewith closed and f r t e rack,

lit)

7. A rack, comprising a. main shelf providing section and an auxiliary or counter and shelf providing section arranged to dispos its shelves, in alinement with the shelves of the main section, and dividers extending past the junction of the shelves and auxiliary main sections.

8. A rack, comprising a main shelf providing section and an auxiliary or counter and shelf providing section arranged to dispose its shelves in alinement with the shelves of the main section, and a sheet metal divider extending from the front of the auxiliary or counter providing section to the rear of the main section and secured to the shelves of both.

9. A rack, con'iprising a plurality of shelf providing sections, the shelves of which are independent members, and dividers extending between superimposed shelves and secured thereto and to the shelves of both sections.

10. A rack, comprising a plurality of sections, the shelves of one section being in registration with the shelves of the other, and having flanges downturned at adjacent edges and shelf dividers extending between SlII)61li1 'l] )OSGCl shelves, and between the shelves of both sections and secured thereto.

11. A rack, comprising a counter providing shelf having a downturned edge, and a shelf therebeneath, and a divider secured in a slot in the downturned edge of said counter providing shelf and to the shelf therebeneath.

12. A rack, comprising a plurality of rack sections having shelves in registration, the top shelf of one of said sections providing a counter in registration with the shelf of the other, and a divider secured to an edge of said counter providing shelf and to the shelf of the other section in registration therewith.

18. A rack, comprising a pair of rack sections arrangeable one in front of the other and each said section having bearer receiving slots in the side faces of upright members, and means engaging in said slots of adjoining upright-s for connecting said sections together.

14. A rack, comprising two rack sections each comprising uprights having shelf bearer receiving slots, and tie plates engaging in the slots of adjoining uprights of said sections to bind said sections together.

15. A rack, comprising two rack sections each comprising uprights having shelf bearer receiving slots, and tie plates engaging in the slots of adjoining uprights of said sections to bind said sections together, said tie plates exercising a wedging action.

in. A rack, comprising a main rack sec- 'tion, a lower auxiliary rack section separate ly erectahle and arrangeable in front of said main rack section, and tie plates engaging adjacent portions of said rack sections for securing them together.

1.7. A rack, comprising a main rack section having uprights provided with shelf bearer receiving slots and auxiliary rack sections similarly constructed and arrangeable in front of said main rack section and tie members engaging in the slots of adjoining uprights in said sections to bind the two together.

18. A rack, comprising a main shelf structure including supporting uprights of substantial height, a lower counter and auxiliary shelf section arrangeable in front of said main structure and bound thereto, said section being a complete separate unit and forn'iing a counter extension of said main structure, and another unitary counter and auxiliary shelf section bound to said lastmentioned section and forming a counter extension thereof, the entire rack thus forming a rigid unit composed of sections of different height and the tops of the counter sections being flush with shelves in said shelf structure.

WALTER N. VANCE. 

